Elders urges food labels to play on consumer patriotism

Food for thought . . . Malcolm Jackman agrees with Greens leader Christine Milne that a food’s country of origin should be made clear to consumers. He says without local food manufacturing, consumers will pay a hefty price.’We need to . . . play on patriotism and say you need to check the label as to where the produce was grown,’ Mr Jackman says.
Photo: Arsineh Houspian

Elders
managing director
Malcolm Jackman
has backed Greens calls to toughen food labelling laws that would make it easier for consumers to determine where food is grown.

“It is not often that I will actually agree with [Greens leader]
Christine Milne
but I think the legislation she is promoting around absolute country of origin – as in, where the produce was actually produced – is very important," Mr Jackman said.

He said food producers and processors needed to encourage consumers to pay more for local produce, which was produced without government subsidies. If the Australian dollar fell back to 55¢, food now imported cheaply would become more expensive. Without local food manufacturing, consumers would pay a hefty price.

“We need to . . . play on patriotism and say you need to check the label as to where the produce was grown. Even though it might have McCain or Birds Eye or Edgells on the frozen french fries bag, you better find out where the spuds are grown."

He said Australians were entitled to transparency but he supported the sale, noting the Chinese had to sell cotton on the open market. He said Elders supported foreign investment. “We don’t need regulations that are over the top and we don’t need to take a ­xenophobic approach to it."